CORD BLOOD donations can be taken around the clock at Barnet General Hospital from Friday, increasing the potential for life-saving stem cell treatments.

The NHS Blood and Transplant cord blood collection facility at the hospital will run 24 hours a day, seven days a week, from Friday, October 28.

Extended hours mean mothers giving birth at the hospital will have more opportunity to donate their cord blood.

It also increases the potential for more donations and more people receiving the life-saving stem cell treatment it provides.

Voluntary cord blood donations are stored in the NHS Cord Blood Bank, operated by NHS Blood and Transplant.

Cord blood is the blood that remains in the placenta and umbilical cord after a baby is born.

This blood is rich in stem cells that can help patients with bone marrow disease or after receiving medical treatments such as chemotherapy or radiotherapy for leukaemia or other cancers.

The Barnet collection centre is one of five across London, three of which are moving to 24hour services.

Extended hours have been made possible by a £4 million investment from the Government and cancer charity Anthony Nolan to collaborate on delivery of a number of improvements to stem cells services.

The collaboration will see increased cord blood collection as well as stem cell donors and potential recipients matched more quickly.

The additional funding was announced by Public Health Minister Anne Milton in July.

Catherine Howell, Chief Nurse of Patient Services at NHSBT, said: "This is a real step forward in making the most of the facilities we have to best serve local communities and patients across the UK."

"It will give more mothers the opportunity to donate their cord blood and help the many patients across the UK who need a life saving stem cell transplant."